The 1980s blessed us with some of the most imaginative and beloved films ever made. While many have spawned franchises that continue today, there are some genuine pearls of cinematic magic that never got their well-deserved sequels. Let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the neon-soaked decade and explore some cult classics that deserve another chapter in their story.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
- 2 2. The Last Starfighter (1984)
- 3 3. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
- 4 4. They Live (1988)
- 5 5. The Monster Squad (1987)
- 6 6. Innerspace (1987)
- 7 7. Night of the Comet (1984)
- 8 8. The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)
- 9 9. Krull (1983)
- 10 10. The Ice Pirates (1984)
- 11 11. Explorers (1985)
- 12 12. D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
- 13 13. Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)
- 14 14. The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)
1. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
Peter Weller’s portrayal of the physicist, neurosurgeon, rock star, and adventurer remains one of the most uniquely entertaining characters in sci-fi history. The film even promised a sequel in its closing credits – “Buckaroo Banzai Against the World Crime League” – that never materialized. With its quirky blend of science fiction, comedy, and action, a modern continuation could introduce this beloved character to a new generation.
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2. The Last Starfighter (1984)
This pioneering film about a video game whiz recruited to fight in an interstellar war was ahead of its time with early CGI effects. In today’s gaming-obsessed world, a sequel following a new generation of star fighters could perfectly capture the zeitgeist while paying homage to the original’s charm and optimism.
3. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Kurt Russell’s Jack Burton, the lovably incompetent truck driver caught in a supernatural Chinatown adventure, deserves another ride. John Carpenter’s blend of martial arts, comedy, and Chinese mythology created a unique world that’s ripe for further exploration, especially with modern special effects capabilities.
4. They Live (1988)
John Carpenter’s satirical masterpiece about aliens controlling humanity through consumerism and media manipulation feels more relevant than ever. A modern sequel could explore how these themes have evolved in our social media-dominated world, while maintaining the original’s biting commentary and action sequences.
5. The Monster Squad (1987)
This delightful mash-up of classic Universal monsters and kid adventure deserves a modern revival. With today’s appreciation for both nostalgia and horror, a sequel following the original squad’s children as they take up the mantle of monster hunting could be fantastic.
6. Innerspace (1987)
This Joe Dante-directed sci-fi comedy about a miniaturized pilot injected into a store clerk’s body was a perfect blend of adventure and humor. With modern CGI and our advanced understanding of human biology, a sequel could offer an even more spectacular journey through the human body.
7. Night of the Comet (1984)
This post-apocalyptic valley girl adventure was ahead of its time in featuring strong female leads in a sci-fi setting. A sequel could explore another celestial event threatening the survivors’ rebuilt world, maintaining the original’s unique blend of horror, comedy, and social commentary.
8. The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)
This teen rebellion film about fighting for justice became a powerful symbol of standing up against authority. A modern sequel could explore similar themes of youth activism in the social media age, with Helen Slater’s character mentoring a new generation of rebels.
9. Krull (1983)
This unique blend of science fiction and fantasy created a rich world that was never fully explored. With its mystical weapons, cyclopean seers, and shape-shifting Beast, the universe of Krull deserves another visit with modern special effects and world-building techniques.
10. The Ice Pirates (1984)
This campy space adventure about pirates stealing water in a drought-stricken galaxy was pure ’80s fun. With water scarcity becoming an increasingly relevant issue, a modern sequel could blend the original’s humor with more pointed environmental commentary.
11. Explorers (1985)
This Joe Dante gem featuring young Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix captured the wonder of youth and space exploration. The story of three boys building a spacecraft from their dreams was pure magic. A sequel could follow a new generation of young dreamers, perhaps guided by the original characters, exploring the further reaches of space with today’s understanding of the cosmos.
12. D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
The story of a sophisticated artificial intelligence in the form of a young boy was ahead of its time. In today’s world of advanced AI and ethical debates about consciousness, a sequel could explore D.A.R.Y.L.’s experiences navigating the modern world and perhaps mentoring a new generation of artificial beings.
13. Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)
Despite its subtitle promising more adventures, this adaptation of the Destroyer novel series never continued. The blend of martial arts, espionage, and humor, along with the unique training relationship between Remo and Chiun, deserves another chapter. A modern sequel could explore how their ancient Korean martial art Sinanju adapts to contemporary threats.
14. The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)
Based on the alleged World War II military experiment, this sci-fi thriller about time travel and government conspiracies left many possibilities unexplored. A sequel could delve deeper into the consequences of temporal displacement, perhaps incorporating real modern military experiments with electromagnetic fields and stealth technology.
